IPP to sue IEA over Presidential debate 2012

PRESS RELEASE
BY THE INDEPENDENT PEOPLE’S PARTY (IPP),
THE INSTITUTE OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS (IEA)
PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE SERIES ON FEBRUARY 16, 2012

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), on Tuesday February 7, 2012 launched its
pre-election debate series for election 2012 with theorganizationof three
presidential debates high on the agenda.

We of the Independent People’s Party (IPP) consider it as our rights to vehemently
protest the IEA on the criteria for selecting political parties for the debate on
the following grounds;

1. That if the IEA is committed to strengthening the pillars of the country’s
democracy, i.e. free fair, peaceful and transparent elections, then they (IEA) must
recognize and promote the interest and the existence of all registered political
parties.

2. That if the Pre-Election Presidential debate is to promote dialogue between
presidential candidates on their policies and to enable the electorates make an
informed choice on candidates, then why had it being the preserve of political
parties with representative in parliament, since 2000.

3. That the use of the media, particularly the state-owned, for the presidential
candidate to interact with the electorates is unacceptable and disadvantageous to
the Independent People’s Party. The media by Law is required to give equal space and
time to all political parties.

4. And that there is nothing that concerns the parliament here about
presidential debate. It is purely a platform for the candidates aspiring for the
highest office of the land to present alternative vision and policies to the
electorates against those of their co-contestants, and why they must be voted for.
The Independent People’s Party is hereby notifying IEA, THE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL
THINK, TANK, to revise their notes on the modalities for selecting parties/
presidential aspirants for the debate series.
We call on the IEA to include and invite the IPP and its Presidential Candidate in
the Pre-election Debate, and indeed, any other political party and presidential
candidate.
The IPP deemed it our constitutional right; not privilege orfavor, and may be
compelled to resort to the LAW courts for redress if our demands are not met.